Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Portland State University

Overview

In the certificate, you will:

• Refine your purpose through leadership development

• Delve into your focus area using Human-Centered Design

• Create a solution with the Business Model Canvas

• Learn about funding for social ventures

• Use approachable financial modeling tools

• Develop a plan for measuring your impact

• Practice storytelling techniques to effectively promote your work and share your ideas

With a focus on leadership and purpose, this program will guide you through a transformational and personally meaningful learning experience to become a successful social entrepreneur or intrapreneur.

Accreditation

State Authorization for Distance (Online) Education Programs and Students

(Current as of 11/08/13)

Notice for applicants from outside the State of Oregon

If you are from outside the State of Oregon and you are interested in applying to or want to enroll in an online degree, certificate program or individual online course at Portland State University, it is important to check the list below to make sure authorization in your state of residence is verified.

Background

In October 2010, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) released the 'State Authorization' regulations. These regulations specifically include distance education (online learning, correspondence courses, etc).They require all institutions of higher education to seek authorization in every state (and territory) in which they “operate” distance education programs in order to maintain eligibility for federal financial aid. Authorization (sometimes referred to as “registration,” “licensure,” “approval,” etc.) indicates that certain minimum standards have been met by the institution under the laws and regulations of that state.

The following is the most pertinent passage of the state authorization rule:

"If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State's approval upon request" (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002).

In other words, in order to offer online educational opportunities to other states' residents, PSU must comply with states' policies for distance education and be able to demonstrate compliance upon request. If PSU were to be found not in compliance, then all students enrolled at PSU would not be allowed to use Title IV, HEA program funds (federal financial aid & grants) to pay for their education.

State Approval

PSU has received authorization or is exempt from authorization in all US states except those mentioned below. Residents from one of the states where PSU has decided not to submit a request for authorization due to high and restrictive fees, should not submit an application for admission to the University. We advise students residing in Arkansas and Minnesota not to enroll in distance education classes at Portland State University.

PSU has not submitted requests for authorization from the following states:

Arkansas

Minnesota

PSU is currently in the process of obtaining authorization to offer online education in Maryland.

This applies to Distance Learning programs ONLY. Students from Arkansas and Minnesota who are interested in our on campus programs are encouraged to contact PSU.